How should technology evolve with the entry of Gen-Z in the workforce?

Sparks and Honey’s research on Gen Z (under-19 year olds) confirms one aspect for certain, that Gen Z is vastly different to Gen Y.
Hence, technology providers need to treat them differently (Source: Bloomberg, accessed 25^th June, 2014).

The world of technology has been evolving at a rapid speed, and this speed will only become swifter as time passes.

To date, Gen Y has been the focus of all research. Technology providers have been upgrading their product functions and creating product road maps in some ways to accommodate Gen Y.

But what about Gen Z? What are technology providers going to do when Gen Z is ready to take over the front seat in the workforce?

Research by Sparks and Honey suggests that Gen Z are keen to enter the workforce earlier than Gen Y. Their ideologies differ from the Millennials.

Gen Z’s ease and familiarity with technology makes them ‘tech innate’.

Their styles differ to Gen Y - in terms of multi-tasking across 5 screens rather than 2, thinking in 4D rather than 3D and communicating with images rather than text, need for collaboration. Their comfort with live streaming and curiosity about the world and social phenomenon at large, present different ingredients for their consumer preferences.

The question is how technology will evolve to meet the diverse needs of the various generations who consume technology differently. With different content, user interface and creative preferences in consuming technology, it is certain that technology vendors need to think creatively. It will not be long before Gen Z will be reaching their prime in the workforce; competing for similar roles as Gen Y and facilitating dynamic organisational change.

In my view, the competitive edge technology providers can derive will be in the art of technology, that will be characterized by strong ‘user adaptability’ and ‘intuitiveness’. In-built interfaces need to recognise user preferences and behave accordingly – that would be smart and friendly technology, one that would be easier to embrace.

I am very interested to know your thoughts. How should technology evolve with the entry of Gen Z in the workforce?